Daily Sun (April 22 2015) - JOHN “Shoes” Moshoeu’s death has shattered soccer lovers.
The former Bafana Bafana star midfielder died at about 3pm yesterday, aged only 49.
HIS AGENT GLYN BINKIN SAID THE FORMER BALL WIZARD DIED OF CANCER.
Binkin said he was at Jozi’s Morningside Medi-clinic with Moshoeu’s family when they heard the heartbreaking news.
“The family would like some privacy in their moment of mourning,” said Binkin.
Daily Sun’s sister paper Sunday Sun broke the news that Moshoeu was gravely ill in hospital in February.
His family was deeply hurt by cruel
hoax messages about his death on social media at that time.
Former Bafana teammate Linda Buthelezi said: “I was with him during his last hours and saw him close his eyes,” said Buthelezi.
“It’s difficult for us, but God has his own way.
“He helped me a lot in my career.
“It will take time to forget him.”
SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan said he was “shocked and saddened”. Moshoeu was capped 73 times for Bafana.
“I was with Shoes at the hospital last night (Monday) with (former Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs teammate) Lucas Radebe and (Chiefs official) Jessica Motaung,” Jordaan said.
“I’m going back there now once I put the phone down. His passing came as quite a shock.
“He was a wonderful role model and one of the best examples of a national soccer player.”
Moshoeu was one of Mzansi’s most polished midfielders and one of the Bafana golden generation that lifted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
He began his playing career at Giant Blackpool in 1987 and had a short stint at Amakhosi in 1993 before moving to Turkey, where for 10 glittering years he played for top sides such as Genclerbirligi and Fenerbahce.
Moshoeu returned to the PSL to play for Chiefs in 2003, winning two successive league titles.
He later joined AmaZulu before ending his career with Alexandra United in the lower ranks, aged 44.
) Heartbroken soccer legend Maimane Phiri said: “He was more than my friend.
“I first met him in Turkey where we were playing professional football.
“He was one of the first people who opened doors for soccer players overseas,” he told
reporter Everson Luhanga.
Maimane said Shoes belonged to the Alex Sun Down team where they both played before he went to hospital.
“The team went to see him. We were planning to see him again this week.
“It’s sad that he died before we got to see him again,” he said.
A close relative of Shoes, who asked not to be named, said: “We were praying that he would come back from hospital recovered.”
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